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The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning today of increased and heavy rainfall due to the southwestern monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. As a result, 47 provinces are at risk of sudden flooding and forest runoff. People in these areas have been urged to be wary of heavy rain and accumulated precipitation, which can cause these dangerous situations. The monsoon trough is also moving across the northern part of Thailand and northern Laos, leading to an area of low pressure along the coastline of northern Vietnam and the Gulf of Tonkin. Such conditions are leading to increased rainfall and some areas experiencing heavy rain, particularly in the northeastern and eastern parts of Thailand. For the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand, where there is considerable wind strength, the sea’s wave height is 2-3 metres. In areas with thunderstorms, the wave height exceeds 3 metres. For the lower Andaman Sea and lower Gulf of Thailand, the sea’s wave height is approximately 2 metres, but in areas with thunderstorms, the wave height exceeds 2 metres. Vessels in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are advised to navigate with caution and avoid passage in regions with thunderstorms. In this period, small boats in the upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand should refrain from leaving the shore. As for the weather forecast for Thailand from 6am today to 6am tomorrow, there are thunderstorms in the northern regions with 70% coverage and some heavy rainfall. The lowest temperature is 23-25 degrees Celsius while the highest is 29-34 degrees Celsius. The wind is from the southwest at a speed of 10-20 kilometres per hour. by Nattapong Westwood TOP: Spooky forest at dusk, ominous storm clouds gather generated by artificial intelligence. Picture courtesy of vecstock, Freepik. Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/weather/southwestern-monsoon-prompts-heavy-rain-warning-across-47-thai-provinces-watch-out-for-sudden-flooding -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

UPDATE: Fireworks seized from shop houses linked to warehouse in Narathiwat Authorities in Su-ngai Kolok district of Thailand’s Narathiwat province have seized about a ton of fireworks from shop houses, located about 150 metres from a fireworks warehouse at which there was an explosion on Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring about 120 others. The explosion and subsequent fire also damaged about 300 houses in the warehouse’s neighbourhood. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302153-fireworks-investigation-extra-tonne-discovered-near-thai-explosion-site-increasing-fears/?do=findComment&comment=18239732

Shocking surprise: Thai Facebook user electrified by 11 million baht bill by Nattapong Westwood Transmission Towers Surat Thani. In an unparalleled event, a Thai Facebook user was stunned after receiving an electric bill amounting to 11 million baht. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302179-shocking-surprise-thai-facebook-user-electrified-by-11-million-baht-bill/

In an unparalleled event, a Thai Facebook user was stunned after receiving an electric bill amounting to 11 million baht. Usually, the family’s bill lies within the boundary of 40,000 baht per month, thus, the recent drastic increase has courted distress and confusion. The shocking occurrence has exploded into a major point of interest online. The distressed Thai Facebook user took to the We Are Consumers’ Facebook page yesterday to rant about receiving a bill amounting to 11 million baht. The astronomical figure induced astonishment in the virtual world, leading to widespread sharing and speculation. The unnamed Thai Facebook user vented their frustration by writing… “I’m boiling with anger. Please, admin, approve this post. Electricity bill of 11 million? The call centre says I have to wait until August 3, but the bill was emailed to me today. Last month’s off-peak cost was over 5 million, and the month before it was 29. Does anyone know what could have caused this? I have no idea, I can’t even sleep. I can’t even eat my food.” by Nattapong Westwood Transmission Towers Surat Thani. Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-facebook-user-reports-disconcerting-11-million-baht-electric-bill-sparks-online-speculation -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Thai-tanic delivery dips: Digital food landscape to shrink by 0.6% in 2023 by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of thaipr.net The digital food delivery landscape in Thailand is expected to shrink by a marginal 0.6% this year, pegging its total value at 86 billion baht according to recent projections by Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). This change symbolises the first contraction of its rapidly blooming industry and is anticipated to coincide with an 11.3% decrease in the volume of food orders. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302178-thai-tanic-delivery-dips-digital-food-landscape-to-shrink-by-06-in-2023/

The digital food delivery landscape in Thailand is expected to shrink by a marginal 0.6% this year, pegging its total value at 86 billion baht according to recent projections by Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research). This change symbolises the first contraction of its rapidly blooming industry and is anticipated to coincide with an 11.3% decrease in the volume of food orders. This decline, as per the research, can be attributed to several reasons: a changing consumer landscape in the aftermath of the pandemic, the cost of living surge, and nagging issues associated with the ordering process. K-Research notes an 8.6% increase in the average price for each order placed this year in comparison to 2022. A survey in May by K-Research revealed that while 44% of respondents continued to use digital food delivery services, they had reduced their frequency of orders. This reduced reliance on online food delivery is due to a shift towards cooking at home or dining out, underpinned by a reluctance to bear the extra costs associated with online ordering. A different sector of the respondents, about 42% stated their intent to maintain their current usage of these digital food delivery services. In contrast, 8% showed no interest to utilise it moving forward, while another 6% ruled out food delivery online. by Alex Morgan Photo courtesy of thaipr.net Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/business/thailands-digital-food-delivery-market-to-contract-marginally-in-2023 -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

UPDATE: Fate of Thaksin linked to political fate of the kingdom as Chuwit predicts his return deal is off by Joseph O' Connor Thaksin faces a momentous personal decision to run the gauntlet of being arrested at Don Mueang Airport and lodged at Bangkok Remand Prison on Thursday, August 10th with the prospects of a 10-year jail term ahead of him. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302129-despite-being-blasted-chuwit-insists-thaksin-not-returning-on-aug-10/?do=findComment&comment=18239560

Fate of Thaksin linked to political fate of the kingdom as Chuwit predicts his return deal is off by Joseph O' Connor Thaksin faces a momentous personal decision to run the gauntlet of being arrested at Don Mueang Airport and lodged at Bangkok Remand Prison on Thursday, August 10th with the prospects of a 10-year jail term ahead of him and potential future charges while the Pheu Thai Party faces instantaneous loss of its long term support base if it enters a coalition government as part of a ‘super deal’ with parties associated with the outgoing government and the former military junta. A deal is reported to be in place but over the weekend, doubts were reported to be setting in. The return of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is becoming enmeshed with the current power struggle at a political level going on between conservative and progressive forces after the General Election threw up a result which has put the Pheu Thai Party in the centre of the political spectrum with the capability of swinging political power in Thailand from one group to another. The fate of Mr Thaksin, who is the de facto leader of the party, has thus become linked to the political fate of the country and is at the confluence of a plot hatched by the conservatives to break up the eight-party coalition pact signed by the Move Forward Party, the Pheu Thai Party and six other smaller parties for a ‘Government of Hope’ on the 22nd May 2023, nine years to the day after the 2014 coup d’état. On Friday, the planned return of Mr Thaksin on August 10th to Thailand, announced by his daughter on July 26th, was thrown into doubt when Mr Chuwit Kamolvisit, the political activist who has a knack for detecting what is happening behind the scenes, revealed that Mr Thaksin has gotten cold feet fearing that he may be the victim of deception. Up until Friday in Bangkok, it was accepted that former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra would be returning to Thailand on August 10th next. He was expected to land at Don Mueang Airport. On Friday afternoon, the Director General of the Department of Corrections, Ayuth Sintoppant, came forward to assure the public that the former premier would be safely incarcerated in prison after his arrest on August 10th by Immigration Bureau officers on arrival back in Thailand. Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/07/30/fate-of-thaksin-linked-to-political-moves-government-pheu-thai-conservative-progressive/ -- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Hua Hin – Cha-Am Golf Festival 2023 tees off: 30,000 golfers expected to participate By Online Reporter The Hua Hin – Cha-Am Golf Festival 2023 officially got underway on Sunday (July 30) at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, marking the start of a month-long golfing extravaganza set to energize tourism and boost the local economy. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302169-hua-hin-–-cha-am-golf-festival-2023-tees-off-30000-golfers-expected-to-participate/

Online gambling raid nets three arrests, seizes over 920,000 baht by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of pymnts.com Authorities conducted a series of raids on properties in both Bangkok and Loei this Saturday, apprehending three individuals under dubious circumstances, allegedly tied to the operation of online gambling websites. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302167-online-gambling-raid-nets-three-arrests-seizes-over-920000-baht/

Authorities conducted a series of raids on properties in both Bangkok and Loei this Saturday, apprehending three individuals under dubious circumstances, allegedly tied to the operation of online gambling websites. Yesterday, Deputy National Police Chief, Roy Ingkapairote revealed that these arrests were the handiwork of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) who’d been inspired by suspicious activities linked to several online gambling sites, amongst which betfixroyal.com was prominent. The arrested online gambling trio, christened by law enforcement solely as Suchanan, Oranee, and Natthawat, found themselves the focus of the crackdown. The enforcers managed to round up substantial evidence, hauling away 100 bank passbooks, 55 ATM cards, 30 mobile phones and a hefty amount of cash counting up to 920,000 baht. Several items of electronics like laptops and iPads followed suit, along with an impressive white Toyota car, with an estimated one million baht price tag. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of pymnts.com Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/crime/thai-gambling-raid-nets-three-arrests-seizes-over-920000-baht-in-assets -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Senegalese tourist’s body recovered at Freedom Beach in Phuket by Mitch Connor PHOTO: Officials recovered the body of a Senegalese tourist who drowned on Freedom Beach. (via ติดข่าวภูเก็ต Facebook) Picture courtesy of ติดข่าวภูเก็ต Facebook In a tragic turn of events in Phuket, a team of lifeguards recovered the body of a Senegalese tourist at 6.50am today from the location where he had disappeared two days prior. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302166-senegalese-tourist’s-body-recovered-at-freedom-beach-in-phuket/

Fireworks warehouse blast kills 12, ganja tea kills tourist? : Tim Newton Today - July 31 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302165-fireworks-warehouse-blast-kills-12-ganja-tea-kills-tourist-tim-newton-today-july-31/

Thailand News - Another huge fireworks warehouse kills 12 and destroys nearly 300 houses in southern Thailand, contrasting reports on the cause of a man's death at a 'ganja shop' along Walking Street in Pattaya, a plankton bloom off Koh Lan causes concern for swimmers, Thammanat Prompau returns to Palang Pracharat, why Thaksin WON'T return to Thailand on August 10, and Bumblebee finds a new home in Bangkok's Chinatown. Tim Newton Today is a daily take on Thai and regional news and issues of interest to expats and foreign tourists. With thanks to our sponsor 5 Star Marine in Phuket for premium, private charters. Click on this link for a special offer for TNT viewers... https://5starmarinephuket.com/tim/

Thai traditional medicine popularity surges amidst covid-19 crisis by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post The turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic have become a potent catalyst for the growing popularity of Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM), which finds its roots firmly intertwined with diverse aspects of Thai culture, ranging from religious practices to local cuisine. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302161-thai-traditional-medicine-popularity-surges-amidst-covid-19-crisis/

The turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic have become a potent catalyst for the growing popularity of Thai Traditional Medicine (TTM), which finds its roots firmly intertwined with diverse aspects of Thai culture, ranging from religious practices to local cuisine. This newfound acceptance of TTM as a fundamental fabric of Thai identity has emerged in the wake of the pandemic. Traditional medicine in Thailand, known for the utilisation of a broad spectrum of indigenous herbs, has seen a staggering surge in usage, as evidenced by the 20th National Herbs Expo hosted by the Ministry of Public Health. Spanning five days, from June 28 to July 2, this event provided a platform for active dialogue among professionals in the field, budding entrepreneurs, and visitors keenly interested in the mystique of TTM. Thai traditional medicine was primarily perceived as a dietary supplement before Covid. However, the lockdown-triggered medicine shortage transformed this perception, driving a significant shift towards the acceptance of traditional treatments, noted Pakakrong Kwankhao, head of the Thai Traditional and Herbal Medicine Centre at Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital. Moreover, the success of herbal treatments in combating Covid led to a rise in younger demographics turning to Thai traditional medicine. According to Adisorn Pukanad of the Thai Traditional Medicine Foundation, TTM is synonymous with convenience. There are no hospital visits requisite, nor prescriptions from doctors necessary to avail these treatments. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/covid-19-crisis-boosts-thai-traditional-medicine-popularity-amidst-healthcare-shift-2 -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Thai consulate warns against rushed Thai-Chinese marriages by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post In the face of rising numbers of failed Thai-Chinese marriages, the Royal Thai Consulate General in Kunming has sounded a note of caution. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302156-thai-consulate-warns-against-rushed-thai-chinese-marriages/

In the face of rising numbers of failed Thai-Chinese marriages, the Royal Thai Consulate General in Kunming has sounded a note of caution. The authority has urged the future brides to thoroughly appraise their prospective grooms’ backgrounds before affirming the marriage proposal. Additionally, they’ve been advised to procure the appropriate visa type and ensure their marriage registration with Thai officials. The advisory resulted from a dialogue between journalists and Bhavivarn Noraphallop, the Thai consul general in Kunming. The interaction was part of a seminar ‘China in the New Era: What the Thai Media Should Know’, organised by the China Embassy to Thailand in alliance with the Thai Journalist Association in Kunming from July 24 to 27. Bhavivarn emphasised that the Consulate General gives priority to border safeguards and the welfare of Thai people living abroad. Owing to its geographical vicinity to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, Yunnan witnesses a range of border hassles like unlawful immigration, overstaying and criminal activities, necessitating continuous intervention by the Consulate. However, the rising instances of unsuccessful Thai-Chinese marriages have particularly rattled the consulate office. Bhavivarn attributed this trend to Thai brides embarking on their marital life with unrealistic expectations and without a comprehensive study about life in China. The subsequent disappointment leads to several women seeking acquaintance with the consulate in a bid to return home. by Mitch Connor Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-consulate-warns-against-rushed-marriages-to-chinese-men -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

UPDATE: Thailand Tourism Festival returns to ignite wanderlust Thailand’s northeast will bring festivities and folklore to the QSNCC’s exhibition hall during the Thailand Tourism Festival 2023. (Photo by Phoowadon Duangmee) Taking place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) from August 2 to 6, the Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) 2023 will once again display the best of the country’s tourism offerings. Visitors can expect to discover new trends, lesser-known destinations, and enjoy captivating cultural performances from various regions of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1301920-41st-thailand-tourism-festival-on-in-bangkok-from-2-6-august-2023/?do=findComment&comment=18239318

Nakhon Si Thammarat murder: Man arrested for chilling strangulation, deadly violence by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod The quiet town of Nakhon Si Thammarat was left in shock as local police arrested Seri Boonprap, an infamous 57 year old, yesterday, for the brutal strangulation of a woman in a bungalow, an act he chillingly admitted was fuelled by resentment. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302154-nakhon-si-thammarat-murder-man-arrested-for-chilling-strangulation-deadly-violence/

Fireworks investigation: Extra tonne discovered near Thai explosion site, increasing fears by Nattapong Westwood Photo courtesy of KhaoSod In a shocking event, officials uncovered an additional one tonne of fireworks hidden in a building just 150 metres away from a previous explosion site that took the lives of twelve people. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302153-fireworks-investigation-extra-tonne-discovered-near-thai-explosion-site-increasing-fears/

NATIONAL NEWS from Surf 102.5 FM - Monday 31 July 2023 Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302152-national-news-from-surf-1025-fm-monday-31-july-2023/

Authorities in Narathiwat have initiated an inspection of 52 warehouses after a massive fireworks explosion left 12 people dead and 121 injured, about 300 houses were damaged, 50 of them completely gutted. The inspections will check to see if the properties were constructed properly and operating legally, police continue to look for the owner who will face multiple charges following the explosion of around 5 tons of fireworks on Saturday. Prime minister Prayut has instructed authorities to provide immediate financial and psychological help. Police arrested 3 suspects after raiding 4 locations in Bangkok and Loei over the weekend, the 3 allegedly ran online gambling websites with over 50,000 users and more than one hundred million baht in circulation Officers confiscated 100 bank books, 55 ATM cards, 30 mobile phones, laptops and iPads and a Toyota car, plus 920,000 baht in cash, The three face charges of gambling and money laundering. The body of the Senegalese tourist who went missing after swimming in phuket on Friday was recovered yesterday The 22 year old was recovered by lifeguards after being washed ashore on Freedom Beach. Around the Region: Indonesia Eight people trapped in an illegal gold mine on the Indonesian island of Java are feared dead after water flooded the mine where workers were digging at a depth of 60 meters. Rescuers had deployed water pumps and worked to dam a nearby river in a frantic effort to get the water out of the shaft but it remained flooded. The weather: Chiang Mai and the north: thundershowers 28C Bangkok: Bright Partly Cloudy, with thundershowers 32C Pattaya, thunderstorms 31C Phuket and the south: Thunderstorms, 30C ‘Hua Hin’ :Sunny, partly cloudy, with rain 33C. Credits: Bangkok Post, The Nation, Asean Now, Khaosod English, Hua Hin Today, Royal Coast Review, Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn, Thainewsroom.com, The Pattaya News, Phuket News, Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times. The Irrawaddy. Windy.com. Wunderground.com Listen Live: Surf 102.5 Facebook: Surf 102.5 -- © Copyright SURF 102.5 FM 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

Thailand unscathed by Crimean-Congo fever, dengue cases surge by Mitch Connor Thailand has no cases of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, but dengue fever cases continue to surge. (via WHO). Image courtesy of World Health Organization (WHO) In an official statement, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) confirmed that Thailand is currently not affected by the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1302151-thailand-unscathed-by-crimean-congo-fever-dengue-cases-surge/

In an official statement, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) confirmed that Thailand is currently not affected by the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). This comes in the wake of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) notification that classifies CCHF as a high-risk infectious disease. Dr Thares Krasanairawiwong, the DDC Director-General, put the country’s populace at ease today. “No case has been reported in Thailand so far.” The fever, marked by a mortality rate of 30 to 40%, has been impacting various regions including eastern Europe, parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The CCHF virus, part of the Nairovirus family, is a tick-borne pathogen often seen in livestock like goats, cattle, and sheep. The disease can easily transmit through any form of contact, with typical symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and minor skin bleeding. by Mitch Connor TOP: Thailand has no cases of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, but dengue fever cases continue to surge. (via WHO). Image courtesy of World Health Organization (WHO) -- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-31 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-unscathed-by-crimean-congo-fever-but-dengue-cases-surge